Portable book-rack



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. G. R. AL

PORTABLE BOOK GK.

Patented Nov. 16,1897.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet; 2.

G. R. ALDEN.- PORTABLE BOOK RACK.

No. 593,758. Patented Nov. 16,1897.

UNITED STATES PATENT Prion.

GUSTAVUS R. ALDEN, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

PORTABLE BOOK-RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters'iPatent Nd. 593,758, datedNovember 16, 1897.

Application filed March 1 9 1 89 '7.

aimed to make it of simple construction, so

as to be economical to make and at the same time perfectly well adaptedfor spaces of different lengths and including as one of its novelfeatures vertical partitions or supports adapted to be used at the endsof the shelf or in any intermediate position to support the bookscarried by the shelf.

In carrying out my invention I provide a suitable base-plate and ad justably supported thereon end and intermediate partitions extendingvertically from the base-plate and supported thereon adj ustably, so asto render it possible to move the partitions into any position withinthe limit of the length of the base-plate, and its adjustment is securedin the simplest manner, so as to render it possible for any one, even achild, to make the adjustment.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown in Figure l a front elevationof the shelf embodying my improvement. In Fig. 2 is shown an end View ofthe shelf. Fig. 3 shows the detail. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line 44, Fig. 1, of a part of the base-plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective view ofthe shelf.

. and this will serve to protect the edges against undue wear. Thevertical partitions which I use to divide the base-plate into sections Ishow at B, and these are made of a width equal to the base-plate andrest directly upon the surface of the base-plate. Adj ust-ably se-Serial'No. 628,326. on model.)

cured to each outer edge of the partitions B are spring-plates b,secured to the edges of the partitions by screws 0, passing throughelongated openings at in the spring-plates. These plates extend downbelow the bottom of the partitions and terminate in an extension runningat right angles to the plate, forming a T. The horizontal portion of thearm is provided with two projections or studs on its inner face, as.shown at f, and these studs are adapted to register with the holes inthe edges of the base-plate. It will be seen that the base-plates byreason of the elongated slots therein may be adjusted easily to bringthe projections f properly in line with the openings in the edge of thebase-plate, and as the spring-plates are secured attheir upper ends tothe vertical partitions the lower ends may be easily sprung out eitherto engage or disengage the projections with the openings, and thus thevertical partitions may be readily attached or detached. I provide aspring-plate preferably on each edge of the vertical partition, but itwill be seen that the plates on one edge may, if desired, be rigid andthe plates on the other edge only be made of spring material. It will beseen that these vertical partitions may be used in any number and may beutilized in connection with shelves where it is desired to support thebooks at intervals or where only a few books are used and the rest ofthe shelf remains Vacant. The partitions arevery readily applied andrequire no skill to attach. or detach them or to adjust them.

Where it is desired to make the base-board of two pieces, my inventionprovides for a very secure connection at the joint. In such case I make.holes in the end of one part of the base-plate and provide dowel-pinsgin the other end, which engage these openings, and then directly abovethe joint I place a vertical partition, with the spring-plates extendingdown therefrom, the projections therein engaging each a hole in theadjacent end of the two parts of the base-plate, and thus the connectionis made very secure against undue strain.

.1 do not limit myself as to the manner of making the spring-plates, asthese may be complish the end in View.

nection, plates carried by said partitions and crossing the line ofjunction on each edge of I5 the base plate and projections from saidplates engaging openings in the adjacent ends of the joined base-plate,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 20 in presence of twowitnesses.

GUSTAV US R. ALDEN.

\Vitnesses:

ALFRED R. YARDLEY, JOSEPH A. NOBLE.

